Factors that affect nutrient uptake It is important to have a large root surface area It is better to have many small roots and root hairs then to have a few big roots For the same mass(or volume), halving the radius doubles the area and quadruples(四倍)the engthFactors that affect nutrient uptake It is important to have a large root surface area. It is better to have many small roots and root hairs then to have a few big roots. For the same mass (or volume), halving the radius doubles the area and quadruples(四倍) the length